Thursday, April 19, 2012

working on a control burn...

No I am not in any trouble physically ....the control burn goes back to my inspiration of the control burn I witnesses here At Dawes Arboretum a couple of weeks ago with Laura Appleman. This is a miraculous event to see in person and to know they are renewing the growth and development of the the prairie grasses on the back landscape in the arboretum. I have had a first layer of reds and yellows in a free style impressionistic approach to dyes. Today I painstakingly began hand painting details of dried grasses and remnants of past growth seasons in 2011. This particular panel is about 6 or 7 feet long. Each fiber installation is my personal reflection of my time spent here at Dawes Arboretum, I have been so privileged to work here as a guardian of the trees. I will paint in the the subtle sky patterns tomorrow.

I met with Laura and we are making plans to make the first installation in the next two weeks in large trees outside the educational studio space. I am working on the leather dye straps to tie through the variety of grommets...that is the plan so let us see how it goes.

Today I had the Glass Doctor replace my windshield in about one hour today while I worked at Dawes. I found the whole event to be very interesting .... and now I am relieved to know that the little Geo will ride the roads safely here in Licking county. I get a rock strike during my drive home on Saturday ...oh well Life happens.

I hope you enjoy the photos and feel free to comment on the newest color parfaits...intense deep vibrations still steaming in the back seat of my car. All artists use their cars to set the dyes in their cars...LOL! Imagine and Live in Peace, Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart

p.s. Thank you Ken for delivering pizza to Dawes so I could stay and paint until after 8 pm! Date night at Dawes!

Art Saves Lives

Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart

About the Artist

I am an artist who makes her marks with a needle and thread. My visual journals give birth to my quilts and are the evidence of my existence. The dialogue between the viewer and the art allows me to integrate my historical, present, future voices, thus communicating with all generations. It is my purpose in the making of my art to guide one to discover a self-actualization of the human spirit--an ongoing conversation between the artist and the viewer. I cherish my freedom to speak through my dyed fabrics, beads, embellishments, and found objects. This visual fiber text has helped me discover a serene appreciation for my own being and often calms my spiritual soul in today's chaotic stream of life.
Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart has been making her works of art for more than 25 years. She has traveled and shown her work in Australia, Mexico, New Zealand, France (Paris), England (London), Italy, and Greece as well as throughout the United States.
Contact Information:
Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart
2431 Audrey Dr. W.
Newark, OH 43055
740-366-1761
km2stew@windstream.net